419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "security keeping fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "consignment " (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "to your nominated bank account" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "tntcourercompnay@foxmail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Alivern Wentzel" <xxixxs@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: "Mr. Alivern Wentzel" <tntcourercompnay@foxmail.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 15:58:30 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Contact TNT Director Person: Dr. Mark Goodness: call Him now
Tel:+22967586565

Â Attn Please God bless you as you do so,

We received a Compensation payment credit instruction from the
federal Government of Royal Kingdom of Benin Republic to credit your
account with your contract payment which is in the custody of our
reserve Bank account here .This is to notify you that your funds $USD
15.500.000.00 Dollars has been programmed for immediate release into
your nominated account but we can not transfer this funds directly to
your nominated bank account Because we are having a little problem
with International Monetary Fund (IMF) so our method of payment is by
Diplomatic Courier Service Via United Parcel Security Shipping
Company.

Be inform that your funds have been Converted into an Consignment Box
and
deposited in the custody of TNT United Parcel Services head office
here in Benin Republic for immediate delivery to your house,The reason
while TNT is chosen for the delivery is that they are the best
shipping company in the world and our government has issued and signed
all the necessary document needed to make the delivery safe.

Note: ,The Governm3ent of Benin Republic has already paid the official
delivery cost and (yellow Tag Paper,insurance) fee it was deducted
from the interest your money accumulated in the custody of our Reserve
Bank here in Benin Republic before the total sum of $15.500.000.00 USD
was Converted into a Consignment Box

(UNITED PARCEL SERVICES TNT COOPERATE)
Contact Person: Dr.Mark Goodness
E-mail: ( tntcourercompnay@foxmail.com )
Tel:+22967586565

Here is the information needed to deliver your consignment box to you.

Your Full Name:=============
Your Complete Address : ==============
Name of Country /City of Residence:=================
Direct Home Telephone /Mobile Number:==============
Your Age:=======================================
Your Occupation:=======================================
copy of your id for identifications if any; ================

Now i want you to contact TNT DELIVERY SERVICE with your Full Contact
information so that they can deliver your Consignment Box to your
designated
address without any delay. Like i stated earlier, The cost and (yellow
Tag Paper,insurance) has been paid but i did not pay their official
Security keeping fees since they refused.
Contact them Today to avoid increase of their keeping fees and call
them phone
Tel:+22967586565 now let me know once you receive your Card.

Best Regards,
New Federal Government office Benin RepubliC
Mr. Alivern Wentzel,

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam